Asterostomella wrightiae P.D. Natekar, A.P. Patil, C.R. Patil, M.R. Bhise & S.V. Kambhar

Natekar, Pratik D., Patil, Anjali P., Patil, Chandrahas R., Bhise, Mahendra R. & Kambhar, Sidanand V., 2024, New teleomorphic and anamorphic taxa of Asterinaceous black mildew from Western coast of India, Phytotaxa 642 (1), pp. 73-83 : 78

Asterostomella wrightiae P.D. Natekar, A.P. Patil, C.R. Patil, M.R. Bhise & S.V. Kambhar sp. nov. ( Fig. 3 ) MycoBank number: MB 849602

Etymology:—Based on the name of the host genus.

Holotype:—AMH-10585

Colonies amphiphyllous, sub-dense, up to 8 mm in diameter, confluent. Hyphae flexuous to crooked, branching opposite to alternate, irregular at acute to wide angles, loosely reticulate, cells 12–27 × 2.5–4 µm.Appressoria alternate, unilateral, one to two celled, sessile to stalked, 8–11.5 × 5.5–10 µm; stalk cells (when two celled) cylindrical 2.5–4 × 2–4 µm; head cells variously lobed, 5.5–7.5 × 5.5–10 µm. Pycnothyria grouped, orbicular, up to 90 µm in diameter, stellately dehiscing at centre, margin fringed with hyphae; conidia brown, numerous, ellipsoidal, unicellular, tapered to broadly rounded at apex, wall smooth, 9.5–17 × 7.5–10.5 µm.

Material examined:— INDIA. Maharashtra: Tivare, Ratnagiri , on living leaves of Wrightia arborea (Dennst.) Mabb. ( Apocynaceae ), 16°74’25.8” N, 73°61’24” E, 172 m, 23 December 2021, Pratik Dilip Natekar- 5331, AMH-10585 (holotype) .

Distribution:— India (Maharashtra).

Notes:—According to Hosagoudar (2012) and online sources (MycoBank data services), the genus Asterostomella has not been reported on any host in the family Apocynaceae . As a result of host specificity, the current collection on Wrightia arborea is classified as a new species.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Asterostomella wrightiae. A. Infected leaf. B. Mycelial colony. C. Appressoriate mycelium. D. Pycnothyria. E. Conidia. F. Mycelial colony with pycnothyria. G. Conidia. Illustrated by Pratik D. Natekar.